Cornus can be deciduous shrubs or trees, or creeping, woody-based perennials, some with brightly coloured young stems. Tiny flowers are borne in dense clusters, sometimes with showy bracts. Many have fine autumn colour
C. kousa var. chinensis is a large, free-flowering deciduous shrub or small tree, with ovate leaves turning red and orange in autumn. Flower-heads with four ovate cream bracts 4-6cm in length. Fruit deep pink, strawberry like